Vernier control knob

ABSTRACT

A knob assembly for turning a shaft of a radio or other piece of equipment, and having a planetary drive mechanism adapted to turn the shaft at a speed which is reduced as compared with the speed of a manually actuated knob proper, to thereby attain a highly precise type of vernier indication of the knob setting. The planets of the drive mechanism are inclined in a manner enabling them to frictionally engage and roll along a transverse wall disposed about the driven shaft.

United States Patent 1191 Dorchester 1 1 Apr. 3, 1973 [54] VERNIER CONTROL KNOB FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1 lnvemorI Edwin Dorchester, BOX 127, 243,218 11/1925 Great Britain ..74 10.52 Smith River, Calif. 95567 Prima Examiner-Milton Kaufman 22 F1 d: M 27 1971 1 1e 8y Attorney-William P. Green [21] App1.No.: 147,463

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl ..74/l0.52, 74/798 A knob a sembly for turning a shaft of a radio or other [51] Int. Cl ..F16h 35/18 i e of equipment, and having a planetary drive 1 Field of Search mechanism adapted to turn the shaft at a speed which 287/52-06 is reduced as compared with the speed of a manually 1 actuated knob proper, to thereby attain a highly References Cited precise type of vernier indication of the knob setting. UNITED STATES PATENTS The planets ot' the dr1ve mechamsm are mclmed in a manner enabllng them to fr1ct1ona11y engage and roll 1,632,212 6/1927 Baltzley ..74/10.52 along a transverse wall disposed about the driven 1,690,077 10/1928 Pacent ..74/10.52 shaft 1,739,286 12/1929 Bronson 1 ..287/52.06 3,365,962 1/1968 Smith ..74/10.52 X 23 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures @9 53 ,& I 59 T4 19a 2,: I 15a 1 we 3 Zi '71 i 72 70 g 6:1 9 e5 60 Q 5oq HQ 79 \\ek /5IL1 PATENTEDAPR 3 I975 SHEET 1 [1F 2 I N VENTOR.

W at 0 My w PATENTEUAPRS I975 3,724,281

SHEET 2 OF 2 r 59 Ida I90.

INVENTOR. EDWIN DoQQHESTE Z 191' TO ekfEY VERNIER CONTROL KNOB BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improved knob assemblies for turning a control shaft of a radio or the like, and including means for reducing the speed at which the shaft is turned relative to the rate of movement of a manually operated knob.

There have heretofore been proposed knob assemblies which have utilized planetary gear mechanisms for attaining a reduction of speed of the above discussed type. In some instances, the planets of these mechanisms have been disposed atan inclination to the axis of the device in a manner enabling the planets to frictionally contact and roll along a surface or wall of the piece of equipment being controlled. However, most of these prior arrangements of which I am aware have been more complex in structure than would be desired, and therefore inherently relatively expensive to produce. Further, many of these arrangements have been highly critical as to their manner of installation, have been so designed as to be inherently very erratic and unreliable in operation, and have otherwise been undesirable from a practical standpoint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A knob assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention utilizes the above discussed planetary drive type of mechanism, but is structurally much simpler and less expensive to manufacture than prior arrangements. At the same time, however, the assembly shift into different planes as necessary to optimally con-- tact the engaged surfaces. For this purpose, each planet may be mounted rotatably. by interengagement of two specially formed bearing surfaces, at least one of which is curved spherically, while the other is preferably conical for only line contact with the spherical surface. To further provide for automatic adjustment of the planets to irregularities in the engaged surfaces, the planets are desirably formed of a resiliently flexible material, which can bend to a slightly bowed condition in use, in a manner exerting yielding force against the engaged surfaces and assuring continued contact therewith.

The planets are driven at their radially inner edges by a manually turned actuating element, which may be tubular, and which desirably has a flange confined within a mating recess in the planet carrier in a manner mounting the actuating element for rotation about the axis of the driven shaft. The mentioned flange may flare at an angle to the axis of the shaft, and the confining recess may be formed by two sections of the planet carrier which engage opposite sides of the flange. The planets may be mounted to the carrier by a number of spaced fasteners which may also function as connector elements for securing an indicating device to the carrier structure. Desirably, the indicating device is received at the inner side of a transparent wall of the knob proper, so that as that knob is turned indicia on the indicating device can be viewed by a user. Also, the indicator may be illuminated by a lamp positioned behind the knob assembly and emitting light through a coacting index opening in the wall of the piece of equipment being controlled.

The device may also be adapted for effecting a direct drive of the shaft when desired, in lieu of the above discussed reduced speed vernier type d-rive, preferably by providing a special manually actuated direct drive unit which is engaged by the planet or planets in rolling relation and is normally held frictionally against rotation about the axis of the shaft, but can be forceably turned when desired to turn the entire assembly without any rolling action of the planets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other features and objects of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the typical embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a knob assembly constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an axial section through the device taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary axial section showing a portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged section showing a portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an axial view similar to FIG. 3 but showing a variational form of knob assembly embodying the invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view showing the collect type gripping element of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view taken on line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view taken on line l0.l0 ofFIG. 7; and

FIG. 11 is a reduced scale view similar to FIG. 7 but showing another form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through6, I have illustrated at 10 a wall of a radio or other piece of electronic or other equipment containing a unit which is to be controlled by rotation of a shaft 11 about an axis 12. For example, shaft 11 may be a tuning shaft for turning a variable tuning capacitor of a radio, television, or the like. Wall 10 has a surface 13 which is planar and disposed transversely of axis 12. A knob assembly 14 embodying the present invention is received adjacent wall surface 13, and contains mechanism which engages and coacts with that wall surface in a manner turning the shaft 11 at a rate substantially slower than the rate at which an outer knob element 15 of the assembly 14 is turned.

Themechanism of assembly 14 includes a series of circularly spaced rotary planet elements 16 mounted to a planet carrier structure 17 which is connected to shaft 11. The planets engage wall surface 13 and the radially outer surface of a manually actuated part 18 connected to knob to attain the desired speed reduction. An indicator element 19 is secured to the planet carrier structure 17 and indicates to a user the setting of the device at any particular time.

The planet carrier structure 17 includes a first annular rigid preferably machined metal part 20 which is disposed about shaft 11 and secured rigidly thereto. More particularly, element 20 has a central bore 21 which is a fairly close fit on shaft 11. The main portion 22 of part 20 projects outwardly to a diameter 23, and contains a set screw 24 by which element 20 is fixed to the shaft against either axial or rotary motion. At'its axially outer side, the element 20 has a portion 25 which initially has a straight cylindrical reduced diameter external surface 26, and which is annularly upset radially outwardly at 27 to rigidly secure a sheet metal part 28 of the planet carrier to part 20. This part 28 is annular and is stamped to the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, to have a cylindrical central portion 29 which is a close fit on the outer surface of portion 25 of element 20. At the axially outer extremity of this portion 29, the sheet material of part 28 is deformed as illustrated to first flare conically at 30, then be deformed annularly M31 in an offsetting relation, and then again flare outwardly at 32 to the peripheral edge 33 of the part. The angle of flare a (FIG. 5) of the inner portion of part 28 with respect to axis 12 of the shaft is the same as the angle of flare of the outer portion 32 on the same part. This angle of flare a is preferably between and desirably about 50. The upset angular portion 27 of part 20 is forced tightly against part 28 at the juncture of its portions 29 and 30, to secure these parts very rigidly together in a manner assuring transmission of rotary motion from part 28 to part 20 and therefore to the shaft.

Another angular sheet metal part 34 of the planet carrier structure 17 is flared conically at the same angle aas part 28, and engages that part from the location 31 of FIG. 5 radially outwardly to the periphery of the two parts 28 and 34. Because of the offset of the part 28 at the location 31, a flaring annular recess 35 is provided between the inner edge portions of the two parts 28 and 34.

Part 18 is a thin walled preferably metal tube, having an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of shaft 11, to be received and rotate freely thereabout. At its axially inner end, part 18 has an annular flaring flange 36, which flares at the same angle a as the two parts 28 and 34, and which is dimensioned for reception within the previously mentioned recess 35 in confined but rotatable relation. The opposite side surfaces of flange 36 are enga'geable against the opposed flaring surfaces formed at the inner side of portion 30 of part 28, and at theinner side of part 34, with very little clearance left between the parts. If desired, low friction washers of nylon or other material may be interposed between flange 36 and the parts 28 and 34, though in most instances such washers are unnecessary.

The radially outer portions of the two parts 28 and 34 of the planet carrier'structure are secured together rigidly and tightly at a number of circularly spaced locations, preferably three such locations, by aseries of circularly spaced rivets or fastener elements 37, which extend through registering apertures in the two parts 28 and 34. Each of the rivets extends along and is symetrical about an individual axis 38, with these three axes being disposed perpendicular to the corresponding portions of elements 28 and 34, and being disposed at identical angles b (FIG. 5) with respect to primary axis 12 of the device. Describing the structure of the ina spherically curved surface 44, beyond which the rivet has a reduced diameter externally cylindrical end portion 45. The spherical surface 44 is utilized as a universal bearing surface for mounting a corresponding one of the planet elements 16 to turn essentially about one of the mentioned revolving'planet axes 38, while also allowing universal shifting of the planet into different planes with respect to the axis.

Preferably, each of the planet elements 16 takes the form of a thin disc centered about its axis 38 and having a central opening 46 dimensioned to engage spherical surface 44. It is contemplated that the internal surface 46' of disc 16 about the opening 46 may if desired have a spherical configuration corresponding to that of surface 44, but preferably the shape of the surface 46' is conical, and dimensioned to engage surface 44 in circular line contact in a manner minimizing the friction resistance to rotation of elements 16. The circular peripheral edge 37 of each planet disc 16 engages wall surface 13 at 38, and at a diametrically opposite location 39 engages the outer cylindrical surface of the main tubular portion 50 of part 18. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, theinclination of discs 16 with respect to axis 12 corresponds substantially to the inclination of conical elements 28 and 34. Planets 16 are formed of a material having a high enough coefficient of friction with respect to the surface of wall 13 and part 18 to prevent slippage of the planets with respect to these parts, and to assure that the planets will roll along those parts in the manner of a planetary gear mechanism. It is also noted that the planet discs 16 are desirably formed of a material which is resiliently flexible, to enable forced deflection of each disc from an initially flat condition (broken lines in FIG. 5) to a slightly bowed condition (full lines in FIG. 5), in which bowed condition the resilience of the materialof which the planet is formed yieldingly urges the periphery of the planet very tightly against wall surface 13 and the outer surface of element 18. At the same time, the universal mounting of the of fiberglass impregnated with epoxy resin and having an overall thickness of about 0.030 of an inch.

The knob proper is connected to the outer endof tubular part 18 to turn that part, as by reception of the end of part 18 within a cylindrical socket recess 51 formed in the outer circular transverse wall 52 of part 15. Part 18 may be a very tight frictional fit within recess 51, to enable permanent connection together of the parts without fasteners. Part 15 may be molded to the illustrated annular configuration from an appropriate resinous plastic material, and desirably from a material which is transparent to enable viewing of the indicia-carrying inner element 19 through the cylindrical peripheral wall 53 of part 15. As an example, part 15 may be molded from methylmethacrylate.

Element 19 may include or form an annular cylindrical drumlike wall 54, centered about the main axis 15 of the device, and received within and closely adjacent peripheral wall 53 of part 15. Part 19 may be formed of a material which is opaque, and which carries on the outer surface of its cylindrical wall 54 indicia or markings 55 for coacting with either a marking or markings 56 on wall surface 13. As will be apparent, the positioning of the markings on wall 54 indicates the setting of shaft 11, and may do so very precisely if the markings are of the vernier type.

Part 19 is mounted for rotation with planet carrier 17, preferably by providing part 19 with three angularly inwardly directed integral tabs 154 having circular openings 57 dimensioned to fit about cylindrical projections 45 on the three rivets 37 respectively. These tabs 154 may fit against transverse surfaces 58 on the rivets, with the apertures in the tabs having normal dimensions slightly less than the external diameter of lugs 45. The material of the tabs may then be stretchable very slightly against its own resilience to be forced onto the lugs and grip the lugs tightly in effective holding relation. The angularity of tabs 154 is essentially the same as the angularity of discs 16 and the carrying elements 28 and 34 with respect to axis 12 of the device. Part 19 and its tabs 154 may be molded from a suitable slightly deformable resinous plastic material, such as a modified acrylic.

In placing the assembly 14 of FIGS. 1 to 6 in use, the assembly is first slipped onto shaft 11 to a position in which planet discs 16 are in contact with wall surface 13, after which the assembly is pressed against wall surface 13 hard enough to slightly deform the planet discs to the somewhat bowed condition illustrated in FIG. 5 while set screw 24 is tightened to secure the planet carrier 17 to the shaft in that condition. In order to pass a screw driver radially inwardly into engagement with set screw 24, wall 53 of element 15 and the periphery of element 19 may be cut away to form two notches 119 which may be brought into registry to pass the screw driver. Parts 28 and 34 are similarly cut away at 120.

After the assembly has thus been installed, knob 15 may be turned, and upon such turning the friction engage'ment between element 18 and planet discs 16 causes rotation of those discs about their individual axes 38. That rotation of the discs acts through the frictional engagement of the planets with wall surface 13 to require rotation of the planets and their carrier 17 about axis 12 at a rate which is reduced as compared with the rate of rotation of knob 15, to thereby turn the either in the reduced speed vernier manner discussed in connection with the first form of the invention, or in a faster direct drive relation. To attain such a direct drive, the assembly 14a of FIG. 7 includes an added direct driver control unit 59, which is interposed axially between wall 10a of the radio or other piece of equipment being controlled and the planet discs 16a corresponding to the discs 16 of FIG. 1. During slow speed vernier type operation of the assembly 14a, the direct drive unit 59 does not rotate relative to wall 10a, and in effect serves the function of wall 10 of the first form of the invention insofar as the planet discs 16a are concerned. That is, these discs 16a roll along the forward planar surface 60 of unit 59, which surface is disposed transversely of the main axis 12a of the driven shaft 11a. At its back side, unit 59 has a parallel transverse planar surface 61, which may carry a rearwardly projecting annular rib 62 engageable frictionally with the forward planar surface 13a of wall 10a with sufficient friction to effect the desired retention of unit 59 against rotation about axis'l2a when the knob proper 15a (corresponding to knob 15 of FIGS. 1 to 6) is turned.

' The knob driven tubular part 18a of FIG. 7 may be identical with part 18 of FIGS. 2 and 5, having a tubular portion 50a which is a tight friction fit within a recess 51a formed in the front wall of knob 15a. Element 18a also has a flaring flange 36a rotatably confined and located within a correspondingly flaring recess 35a formed by and between two parallel flaring surfaces 63 and 64 of two machined sections 65 and 66 of the planet carrier 17a. The planet mounting fasteners 37a of FIG. 7 may be identical with fasteners 37 of the first form of the invention except that in FIG. 7 these fasteners are preferably secured to section 65 of carrier 17a as drive pins, having threaded portions 67 which are driven into inclined passages in section 65 and form,

rigid connections with that section. The indicator element 19a may be very similar to element 19 of FIG. 1, having a cylindrical drumlike outer portion 54a carrying indicia such as those shown at 55 in FIG. 1, and carrying mounting tabs 56a connectible to elements 37 in a relation mounting element 19a to carrier 17a. The element 19a may also have a transverse front wall 68 which may be opaque or translucent, as may the outer tubular portion 54a of element 19a, to hide the'planets and related parts from view. The outer cylindrical wall 53a of knob 15a is transparent to enable viewing of the indicia on element 19a therethrough. Also, the direct drive unit 59 desirably has an annular peripheral rim 69, which is centered about axis 12a and projects forwardly to a position of reception about the rearmost annular portion of the peripheral wall 53a of knob 15a, and is therefore accessible for manual actuation by an operatorin a relation turning unit 59 manually about axis 12a against the resistance offered by the frictional engagement of rib 62 with the front of wall 10a.

Directly behind the uppermost portions of elements 59, 15a, and 190, wall 10a of the radio or otherpiece of equipment being controlled may contain a circular opening 70 through which a small electrically energized lamp 71 emits light forwardly for illuminating the indicia on element 19a. At the location of opening 70, wall 10a may carry a circular element 72 which may be opaque except at the location of a vertical light passing index slit or opening 73 (see FIG. 10), which may be slightly enlarged at its lower end 74 to pass an increased amount of light at that location. The index marking 73 is directly rearwardly opposite the peripheral portion of unit 59 and the peripheries of parts 150 and 19a. Unit 59 is transparent to enable viewing of the index marking 73 therethrough, and to pass the light forwardly through unit 59 toward the indicia on the periphery of portion 540 of element 19a, so that the index marking 73 and indicia on element 19a can be viewed simultaneously through knob 150 as an indication of the setting of the knob assembly.

The planet carrier assembly 17a is preferably designed for automatic frictional retention in fixed position on shaft 11a when forced reaiwardly onto that shaft. For this purpose, section 66 of carrier 17a may be shaped to form a series of circularly spaced resiliently expansible shaft gripping collet fingers 75 formed by providing an annular groove 76 in section 66, and a series of axial slits 77 forwardly of groove 76 and separating the fingers 75 (see FIGS. 7, 8, and 9). Section 66 as initially machined may have a straight cylindrical internal surface 78 of a diameter approximately equal to the external diameter of shaft 11a, but after being machined the fingers 75 are bent slightly radially inwardly as to the positions of FIG. 8, and are retained in those inwardly deflected positions by the resilience of the metal of which section 66 is formed, so that when section 66 is forced onto shaft 11a, the fingers are expanded slightly radially outwardly against their own resilience, but not beyond theirelastic limit, to tightly grip shaft 11a and frictionally retain carrier 17a in proper fixed position on the shaft. The rear portion of section 66, rearwardly of groove 76, is a tight forced fit within bore 79 in the second section 65 of planet carrier 17a, to retain section 66 permanently in fixed position within section 65 and in a relation maintaining properspacing of surfaces 63 and 64% for rotary bearing engagement with flange 63 of part 18a. The forced fit between sections 65 and 66 is tight enough to hold these parts in fixed positions before carrier 17a is forced onto shaft 11a, and while the carrier is pushed onto the shaft and its fingers 75 are being deflected thereby into slightly expanded gripping positions. Carrier 17a is forced onto the shaft far enough to cause planet discs 16a to press tightly rearwardly' against direct drive unit 59, and thereby cause the direct drive unit to press tightly against wall 10a, so that unit 59 will as mentioned be retained against rotation by the frictional engagement at 62 with wall 10a when knob a is turned.

To now describe'the manner of operation of the unit of FIGS. 7 through 10, assume that the unit has been installed on shaft 1 1a in the position illustrated in FIG. 7, and that it is then desired to move indicator 19a to a desired set position. If knob 15a is turned manually by the operator, the rotation of this knob acts to turn elemerit 180, which by virtue of its engagement with I may be read by noting the relationship between the indicia on element 19a and lighted index opening 73. If it is desired to turn the shaft more rapidly between widely spaced settings of indicator element 19a, this may be effected by merely grasping the peripheral rim 69 of direct drive unit 59, and turning that unit against the frictional resistance offered by engagement of its rib 62 with wall 10a to any desired new setting. When unit 59 is thus turned, the resistance to rotation of planets 16a about their individual axes is sufficiently great to cause all of the planets and their carrier 17a as well as knob 15a and indicator 19a to turn unit 59 about axis 12a, without individual rolling movement of the planets. Thus, the operator can easily attain either slow speed vernier type rotation of the shaft or faster direct drive of the shaft as desired.

FIG. 1 1 shows another variational form of the invention, which may be considered as identical with that of FIGS. 7 to 10 except for a change in shape of knob 15b and indicator 19b corresponding to elements 15a and 19a of FIG. 7. More particularly, knob 15b in FIG. 11 may be of tapering configuration, having a flaring frustoconically shaped wall portion which is transparent and through which indicia on a correspondingly flaring portion 81 of indicator element 19b may be viewed. As in the other forms of the invention, the indicator element 19b may have tabs 561) by which it is connected to fasteners 3712 which mount the individual planet discs 16b. 1

While certain specific embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed as typical, the invention is of course not limited to these particularforms, but rather is applicable broadly to all such variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims. As one example of a variational application of the invention which it is felt will be apparent without further illustration, it may be pointed out that in instances in which a still greater speed reduction is desired in the knob assembly, two or more assemblies similar to those described above may be provided in series on a single shaft, with each assembly driving the next successive one, so that their speed reducing effects are multiplied to allow for extremely minute rotation of the shaft in response to a very substantially turning movement of the outermost assembly.

I claim:

1. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent wall, said assembly comprising a planet carrier structure adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, at least one planet element carried by said carrier structure for rotation relative thereto about a second axis which revolves about said first axis, a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaging said planet to turn it about said second axis upon rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, said planet having a portion positioned to contact said wall frictionally in a relation to roll therealong and produce rotation of said carrier structure about said axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, and a universal connection mounting said planet to said carrier structure for universal pivotal movement relative thereto in addition to said relative rotation and thereby enabling universal tilting of said second axis in different planes for automatic adjustment of the planet orientation relative to said wall.

2. A control knob as recited in claim I, in which said universal connection includes engaging bearing surfaces associated with said carrier structure and said planet respectively and at least one of which is curved essentially spherically and engages the other surface in a relation mounting the planet for said universal pivotal movement relative to the carrier structure.

3. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 1, in which said planet element is shaped generally as a disc having an axial thickness smaller than its radial dimension and which is resiliently deformable to a slightly bowed condition by contact with said wall to assure effective contact therewith.

4. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent wall, said assembly comprising a planet carrier structure adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, at least one planet element mounted to. said carrier structure to rotate relative thereto about a second axis which revolves about said first axis, and a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaging said planet to turn it about said second axis upon rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, said planet having a portion position to contact said wall frictionally in a relation to roll therealong and produce rotation of said carrier structure about said axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, said actuating element having a tubular portion with an outwardly projecting flange, said carrier structure defining a bearing recess into which said flange projects in confined but rotatable relation to mount said actuating structure for rotation about said first axis.

5. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said carrier structure includes two parts connected together and defining said recess therebetween.

6. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said flange and said recess flare angularly outwardly relative to said first axis.

7. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said carrier structure includes two parts connected together and defining said recess therebetween, there being fastener means securing said .two parts of the carrier structure together and also mounting said planet rotatably to the carrier structure. I

8. A control knob assembly as' recited in claim 4, in which said flange flares essentially conically outwardly relative to said first axis, said carrier structure including two adjacent parts with opposed surfaces which flare essentially conically and define said recess for receiving said flange.

9. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said flange flares essentially conically outwardly relative to said first axis, said carrier structure including two adjacent parts which also flare essentially conically and having inner edges defining said recess for receiving said flange, there being a plurality of fasteners interconnecting said two parts at circularly spaced locations and rotatably mounting a series of said planets at circularly spaced locations and at inclinations corresponding generally to the flare of said two parts.

10. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 9 in which said fasteners have spherically curved portions engaging flaring surfaces on said planets to mount the latter for universal pivotal movement, there being an element carrying indicia for indicating the setting of said carrier structure and carried by said fasteners, and a manually accessible part connected to said actuating element to turn it and having a transparent portion through which said indicia-carrying element is visible, said planets being shaped generally as discs having an axial thickness smaller than their radial dimension and which are resiliently deformable to a slightly bowed condition by contact with said wall to assure effective contact therewith.

11. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said carrier structure includes two parts connected together and defining said recess therebetween, there being fastener means securing said two parts together, and a setting indicating member carrying indicia and mounted to the carrier structure by said fastener means which connect said parts together.

' 12. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said carrier structure includes two parts connected together and defining said recess therebetween, one of said parts having a portion receivable about said shaft and forming resiliently expansible spring fingers for frictionally gripping the shaft.

13. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said carrier structure includes two parts connected together and defining said recess therebetween,

one of said parts being a tight friction fit within the.

other part and having a'portion within said other part receivable about the shaft and defining a plurality of resiliently expansible collect fingers for frictionally gripping the shaft.

14. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent wall, said assembly comprising a planet carrier structure adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, a plurality of circularly spaced planets mounted to said carrier structure for rotation relative thereto about individual revolving axes and positioned to frictionally engage said wall, a part connected to said carrier structure for rotation therewith and having indicia for indicating the setting thereof, and an actuating structure mounted to turn about said first axis and frictionally engaging said planets and having a transparent wall through which said indicia are visible.

15. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 14, in which said part is a drum disposed about said planets, there being circularly spaced bearing elements on said carrier structure mounting said planets rotatably and having portions engageable with mounting projections carried at the inner side of said drum in a relation connecting said part to the carrier structure.

16. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent wall, said assembly comprising a planet carrier structure adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, a plurality of circularly spaced planets mounted to said carrier structure for rotation relative thereto about individual revolving axes and positioned to engage frictionally said wall, a part connected to said carrier structure for rotation therewith and having indicia for indicating the setting thereof, and an actuating structure mounted to turn about said first axis and frictionally engaging said planets, said carrier structure including two generally parallel flaring 'parts and a plurality of circularly spaced connector elements connecting said parts together, and said indicia-carrying part having mating circularly spaced connector elements connectible to said first mentioned connector elements in a relation securing the indicia-carrying part to the carrier structure.

17. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 16, in which said connector elements also mount said planets rotatably to said carrier structure.

18. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent wall, said assembly comprising a planet carrier structure adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, at least one planet element mounted to said carrier structure to rotate relative thereto about a second axis which revolves about said first axis, and a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaging said planet to turn it about said second axis upon rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, said planet having a portion positioned to'contact said wall frictionally in' a relation to roll thereaiong and produce rotation of said carrier structure about said axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, said planet carrier structure including a first part to be disposed about said shaft and adapted to be secured .thereto, asecond part having a tubular mounting portion, disposed about said first and having an outer planet carrying portion projecting outwardly from said mounting portion, and a'third part extending outwardly adjacent said'pla'net carrying portion of said first part and connected thereto and coacting therewith in mounting said planet, said second and .third parts having portions defining therebetween a recess within which a portion of said actuating element is rotatably received.

19. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent structure, said assembly comprising a planet carrier adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, at least one planet element mounted to said carrier to rotate relative thereto about a second axis'which revolves about said first axis, a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaged by said planet element in rolling relation to turn the planet element about said second axis upon, rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, and a direct drive unit positioned for rolling contact of said planet element therewith in a relation for rolling movement of the planet element along a surface of said direct drive unit to produce rotation of said carrier about. said first axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, said direct drive unit being retainable by said adjacent structure against rotation upon manual turning of said rotary actuating element to effect said reduced speed drive, but being manually rotatable relative to said adjacent structure to produce an increased speed direct drive turning movement of the shaft, said direct drive unit having a portion received axially between and engaged at opposite sides by said planet element and said adjacent structure, and having a forwardly directed peripheral rim accessible for manual actuation to turn the direct drive unit. a

, 20. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 19, including a knob connected to said rotary actuating element and having a forward wall extending across the front of said carrier and said planet element and having a peripheral portion extending rearwardly about the location of said planet element and projecting into said rim of the direct drive unit.

21. A control assembly asrecited in claim 20, including an indicator element contained within'said knob and having indicia visible therethrough and connected to said carrier for rotation therewith.

22. The combination comprising a rotary shaft, an adjacentstructure relative to which said shaft is rotatable'about an axis, a planet carrier connected to said shaft in a relation to'turn it about said axis, at least one planet element mounted to said carrier to rotate relative thereto about a second axis which revolves about said first axis, a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaged by said planet element in rolling relation to turn the planet element about said second axis upon rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, a direct drive unit positioned for rolling contact of said planet element therewith in a relation for rolling movement of the planet element along a surface of said direct drive unit to produce rotation of said carrier about said first axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, said direct drive unit being retainable by said adjacent structure against rotation upon manual turning of said rotary actuating element to effect said reduced speed drive, but being manually rotatable relative to said adjacent structure to produce an increased speed direct drive turning movement of the shaft, said direct drive unit having a portion received axially between and engaged at opposite sides by said planet element and said adjacent structure, and having a forwardly directed peripheral rimaccessible for manual actuation to turn the direct drive unit, a knob connected to said rotary actuating element and having a forward wall extending across the front of said carrierand said planet element and having a peripheral portion extending rearwardly about the location of said planet element and projecting into said rim of the direct drive unit, and an indicator element contained within said knob and having indicia visible therethrough and connected to said carrier for rotation therewith, said adjacent structure including a wall having a light passing index opening positioned for reading coaction with the indicia on said indicator element, and a light source positioned behind said wall and emitting light through said index opening and through a portion of said direct drive unit toward said indicator element.

, 23. The combination comprising a rotary shaft, an adjacent structure relative to which said shaft is rotatable about an axis, a planet carrier connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, at least one planet element mounted to said carrier to rotate relative thereto about a second axis which revolves about said first axis, a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaged by said planet element in rolling relation to turn the planet element about said second axis upon rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, a direct drive unit positioned for rolling contact of said planet element therewith in a relation for rolling movement of the planet element along a surface of said direct drive unit to produce rotation of said carrier about said first axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, said direct drive unit being retainable by said adjacent structure against rotation upon manual turning of said rotary actuating element to effect said reduced speed drive, but being manually rotatable relative to said adjacent structure to produce an increased speed direct drive turning movement of the shaft, said adjacent structure including a wall containing a light passing index opening, an indicator element connected to said carrier for rotation therewith and having indicia thereon coacting with said index opening, and a light source behind said wall emitting light through said index opening and througha portion of said direct' drive unit for viewing with said indicia on the indicator element. 

1. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent wall, said assembly comprising a planet carrier structure adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, at least one planet element carried by said carrier structure for rotation relative thereto about a second axis which revolves about said first axis, a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaging said planet to turn it about said second axis upon rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, said planet having a portion positioned to contact said wall frictionally in a relation to roll therealong and produce rotation of said carrier structure about said axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, and a universal connection mounting said planet to said carrier structure for universal pivotal movement relative thereto in addition to said relative rotation and thereby enabling universal tilting of said second axis in different planes for automatic adjustment of the planet orientation relative to said wall.
 2. A control knob as recited in claim 1, in which said universal connection includes engaging bearing surfaces associated with said carrier structure and said planet respectively and at least one of which is curved essentially spherically and engages the other surface in a relation mounting the planet for said universal pivotal movement relative to the carrier structure.
 3. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 1, in which said planet element is shaped generally as a disc having an axial thickness smaller than its radial dimension and which is resiliently deformable to a slightly bowed condition by contact with said wall to assure effective contact therewith.
 4. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent wall, said assembly comprising a planet carrier structure adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, at least one planet element mounted to said carrier structure to rotate relative thereto about a second axis which revolves about said first axis, and a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaging said planet to turn it about said second axis upon rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, said planet having a portion position to contact said wall frictionally in a relation to roll therealong and produce rotation of said carrier structure about said axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, said actuating element having a tubular portion with an outwardly projecting flange, said carrier structure defining a bearing recess into which said flange projects in confined but rotatable relation to mount said actuating structure for rotation about said first axis.
 5. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said carrier structure includes two parts connected together and defining said recess therebetween.
 6. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said flange and said recess flare angularly outwardly relative to said first axis.
 7. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said carrier structure includes two parts connected together and defining said recess therebetween, there being fastener means securing said two parts of the carrier structure together and also mounting said planet rotatably to the carrier structure.
 8. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said flange flares essentially conically outwardly relative to said first axis, said carrier structure including two adjacent parts with opposed surfaces which flare essentially conically and define said recess for receiving said flange.
 9. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said flange flares essentially conically outwardly relative to said first axis, said carrier structure including two adjacent parts which also flare essentially conically and having inner edges defining said recess for receiving said flange, there being a plurality of fasteners interconnecting said two parts at circularly spaced locations and rotatably mounting a series of said planets at circularly spaced locations and at inclinations corresponding generally to the flare of said two parts.
 10. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 9, in which said fasteners have spherically curved portions engaging flaring surfaces on said planets to mount the latter for universal pivotal movement, there being an element carrying indicia for indicating the setting of said carrier structure and carried by said fasteners, and a manually accessible part connected to said actuating element to turn it and having a transparent portion through which said indicia-carrying element is visible, said planets being shaped generally as discs having an axial thickness smaller than their radial dimension and which are resiliently deformable to a slightly bowed condition by contact with said wall to assure effective contact therewith.
 11. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said carrier structure includes two parts connected together and defining said recess therebetween, there being fastener means securing said two parts together, and a setting indicating member carrying indicia and mounted to the carrier structure by said fastener means which connect said parts together.
 12. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said carrier structure includes two parts connected together and defining said recess therebetween, one of said parts having a portion receivable about said shaft and forming resiliently expansible spring fingers for frictionally gripping the shaft.
 13. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 4, in which said carrier structure includes two parts connected together and defining said recess therebetween, one of said parts being a tight friction fit within the other part and having a portion within said other part receivable about the shaft and defining a plurality of resiliently expansible collect fingers for frictionally gripping the shaft.
 14. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent wall, said assembly comprising a planet carrier structure adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, a plurality of circularly spaced planets mounted to said carrier structure for rotation relative thereto about individual revolving axes and positioned to frictionally engage said wall, a part connected to said carrier structure for rotation therewith and having indicia for indicating the setting thereof, and an actuating structure mounted to turn about said first axis and frictionally engaging said planets and having a transparent wall through which said indicia are visible.
 15. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 14, in which said part is a drum disposed about said planets, there being circularly spaced bearing elements on said carrier structure mounting said planets rotatably and having portions engageable with mounting projections carried at the inner side of said drum in a relation connecting said part to the carrier structure.
 16. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent wall, said assembly comprising a planet carrier structure adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, a plurality of circularly spaced planets mounted to said carrier structure for rotation relative thereto about individual revolving axes and positioned to engage frictionally said wall, a part connected to said carrier structure for rotAtion therewith and having indicia for indicating the setting thereof, and an actuating structure mounted to turn about said first axis and frictionally engaging said planets, said carrier structure including two generally parallel flaring parts and a plurality of circularly spaced connector elements connecting said parts together, and said indicia-carrying part having mating circularly spaced connector elements connectible to said first mentioned connector elements in a relation securing the indicia-carrying part to the carrier structure.
 17. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 16, in which said connector elements also mount said planets rotatably to said carrier structure.
 18. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent wall, said assembly comprising a planet carrier structure adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, at least one planet element mounted to said carrier structure to rotate relative thereto about a second axis which revolves about said first axis, and a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaging said planet to turn it about said second axis upon rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, said planet having a portion positioned to contact said wall frictionally in a relation to roll therealong and produce rotation of said carrier structure about said axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, said planet carrier structure including a first part to be disposed about said shaft and adapted to be secured thereto, a second part having a tubular mounting portion disposed about said first and having an outer planet carrying portion projecting outwardly from said mounting portion, and a third part extending outwardly adjacent said planet carrying portion of said first part and connected thereto and coacting therewith in mounting said planet, said second and third parts having portions defining therebetween a recess within which a portion of said actuating element is rotatably received.
 19. A control knob assembly for turning a rotary shaft about a first axis relative to an adjacent structure, said assembly comprising a planet carrier adapted to be connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, at least one planet element mounted to said carrier to rotate relative thereto about a second axis which revolves about said first axis, a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaged by said planet element in rolling relation to turn the planet element about said second axis upon rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, and a direct drive unit positioned for rolling contact of said planet element therewith in a relation for rolling movement of the planet element along a surface of said direct drive unit to produce rotation of said carrier about said first axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, said direct drive unit being retainable by said adjacent structure against rotation upon manual turning of said rotary actuating element to effect said reduced speed drive, but being manually rotatable relative to said adjacent structure to produce an increased speed direct drive turning movement of the shaft, said direct drive unit having a portion received axially between and engaged at opposite sides by said planet element and said adjacent structure, and having a forwardly directed peripheral rim accessible for manual actuation to turn the direct drive unit.
 20. A control knob assembly as recited in claim 19, including a knob connected to said rotary actuating element and having a forward wall extending across the front of said carrier and said planet element and having a peripheral portion extending rearwardly about the location of said planet element and projecting into said rim of the direct drive unit.
 21. A control assembly as recited in claim 20, including an Indicator element contained within said knob and having indicia visible therethrough and connected to said carrier for rotation therewith.
 22. The combination comprising a rotary shaft, an adjacent structure relative to which said shaft is rotatable about an axis, a planet carrier connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, at least one planet element mounted to said carrier to rotate relative thereto about a second axis which revolves about said first axis, a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaged by said planet element in rolling relation to turn the planet element about said second axis upon rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, a direct drive unit positioned for rolling contact of said planet element therewith in a relation for rolling movement of the planet element along a surface of said direct drive unit to produce rotation of said carrier about said first axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, said direct drive unit being retainable by said adjacent structure against rotation upon manual turning of said rotary actuating element to effect said reduced speed drive, but being manually rotatable relative to said adjacent structure to produce an increased speed direct drive turning movement of the shaft, said direct drive unit having a portion received axially between and engaged at opposite sides by said planet element and said adjacent structure, and having a forwardly directed peripheral rim accessible for manual actuation to turn the direct drive unit, a knob connected to said rotary actuating element and having a forward wall extending across the front of said carrier and said planet element and having a peripheral portion extending rearwardly about the location of said planet element and projecting into said rim of the direct drive unit, and an indicator element contained within said knob and having indicia visible therethrough and connected to said carrier for rotation therewith, said adjacent structure including a wall having a light passing index opening positioned for reading coaction with the indicia on said indicator element, and a light source positioned behind said wall and emitting light through said index opening and through a portion of said direct drive unit toward said indicator element.
 23. The combination comprising a rotary shaft, an adjacent structure relative to which said shaft is rotatable about an axis, a planet carrier connected to said shaft in a relation to turn it about said axis, at least one planet element mounted to said carrier to rotate relative thereto about a second axis which revolves about said first axis, a rotary actuating element adapted to be turned manually about said first axis and engaged by said planet element in rolling relation to turn the planet element about said second axis upon rotation of said actuating element about said first axis, a direct drive unit positioned for rolling contact of said planet element therewith in a relation for rolling movement of the planet element along a surface of said direct drive unit to produce rotation of said carrier about said first axis upon manual rotation of said actuating element but at a reduced speed, said direct drive unit being retainable by said adjacent structure against rotation upon manual turning of said rotary actuating element to effect said reduced speed drive, but being manually rotatable relative to said adjacent structure to produce an increased speed direct drive turning movement of the shaft, said adjacent structure including a wall containing a light passing index opening, an indicator element connected to said carrier for rotation therewith and having indicia thereon coacting with said index opening, and a light source behind said wall emitting light through said index opening and through a portion of said direct drive unit for viewing with said indicia on the indicator element. 